This product was gifted to me as an event competition prize. I was not paid for this review and affiliate links are not used in this post.
I have been meaning to write this review for a really long time but, for some reason, other things just kept coming up and my to-do list just got busier and busier! Finally though, I’m starting it (just as I am possibly finishing off my bottle of this toner haha)!
This is the Centella Complex Mist Toner from APLB. This is an all-in-one mist that is specially targeted for troubled or sensitive skin. It is suitable for both face and body too – which is pretty unique. I personally love using mist toners so I was pretty excited about this. I used it alone for a while and, even now that I’ve switched to a different toner (for my hormonal break outs), I still turn to this one during the day for quick and effective application.
You can get this at StyleStory for AUD$27.95 (currently on sale from AUD$34.95) so pop onto their website to check this out and everything else from APLB too! I especially recommend their Blackout Cleansing Oil which I also reviewed here and absolutely adore.
Without any more waffling from me though, let’s kick into this review!
Product Description
As previously mentioned, the Centella Complex Mist Toner is a face and body toner. It is pH balanced at 5.5 and is recommended for acne, bacne and chest pimples.
The product claims to calm redness, irritation and sensitivity too – which is expected, considering that it is made with a base of 92% Centella Asiatica. Aside from this, the formula contains a number of ingredients that are also suitable for sensitive skin types.
According to the StyleStory website, star ingredients include:
- Centella 3X Complex (Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid): the main components in Centella Asiatica, they assist with wound repair and fighting visible signs of aging
- Ceramides: contains lipids and fats that moisturse and prevent wrinkles
- Squalane: good for dry skin but also easy on acne prone skin
- Asiaticoside: helps heal raw wounds
- Madecassic acid: prevents UV-induced hyperpigmentation
- Asiatic acid: assists with wrinkle repair
- Centella Asiatica (92%): soothes skin, strengthens its barrier and diminishes the appearance of blemishes
- Niacinamide: improves skin tone by reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines
- Macadamia Seed Oil: doesn’t clog pores (like coconut oil) and is rich in healing, anti-aging benefits
- Beta Glucan: an ingredient with antioxidant properties and is a skin-soothing agent, making it ideal for sensitive skin
- Adenosine: a skin soothing and restoring agent that is beneficial for all skin types
- Allantoin: soothes and protects the skin
- Sodium Hyaluronate: a skin hydrating ingredient
Packaging
Similarly to other APLB products, the Centella Complex Mist Toner comes in a white unicarton with a design of the bottle on the side. The shape and design of the box is very simple but I think that it works well. It’s not that exciting – since all of APLB products have always the same external packaging, I’m pretty nonchalant about it now – but it’s effective and looks good.
The consistency in design between all of the brands products mean that they look really nice put together as a ‘set’ so, if you’re looking to gift and want something that’s both aesthetically cohesive but not necessarily from the same ‘line’ (i.e. you want to mix and match), APLB has you. If you’re someone who likes your skincare to look consistent together too, then you’ll have a good time shopping this brand’s range.
Moving on from this though!
When you open up the box, you’ll find the product in a tall and relatively skinny 150mL bottle. The bottle is made of an opaque blue plastic with the brand’s logo and information printed on the front, as well as having a clear plastic cap and a fine misting applicator. The quality of it is pretty good!
Overall, the packaging of the bottle is lightweight and feels sturdy, though I wouldn’t recommend it for travel as it’s too tall for a lot of travel cases. For personal use and keeping it at home, there’s no issues with it. The design is not perfect, but it’s decent and neat so I don’t mind it. I just wish that it were semi-opaque instead so that you could see how much product is left inside.
Personal Experiences
As previously mentioned, I first tried out using just the Centella Complex Mist Toner for both day and night – I actually enjoyed it though I found that it didn’t fully deliver on all product claims.
First off, this is a very soothing product and I especially like to use it after a long day of work. It has an immediately refreshing feel on the skin and gives a boost of hydration whilst also helping to minimise redness and irritation. It’s lightweight and watery, so absorbs into skin without leaving any sort of residue. This is the sort of product that is a perfect pick-me-up in the morning, calming at night and very pleasant to apply throughout the day (if that’s your jam).
I love the spray applicator on this. It’s described as a ‘light misting spray’ and has a good balance between being gentle but also not overly fine (I hate it when I can’t even feel the product on my skin). The spray also disperses well, so you can get a thorough application.
The downside of the mist toner though is that, whilst it is brilliant for calming skin irritation and all, I didn’t see any anti-acne benefits outside of that. It reduced the redness but didn’t actually heal my skin. Usually this doesn’t bother me (since I use plenty of products that aren’t targeting my break outs) but I have to make this note since this is meant to be recommended for acne and pimples.
The fact is that I actually like this mist toner a lot, even if it doesn’t deliver on all of the product claims. The fact that I’m nearly finished the entire bottle should say enough! Since I have now found another toner to tackle my hormonal break outs (it still isn’t perfect, but I’m on a hunt), I have limited myself to using this in the mornings only.
The Centella Complex Mist Toner works brilliantly underneath my sunscreen and make up. I love how fast absorbing it is and it also gives me my much needed hydration in a few quick spritzes. I’ll definitely be continuing to use it for this purpose.
Since this was originally selling for AUD$34.95, I was going to say that I find this quite pricey for what it is – a simple calming and hydrating toner. However, the discounted price is pretty good and actually places it somewhere between drugstore and high end pricing. I would suggest taking advantage of this if you want to try it out!
Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A soothing toner with 92% Centella Asiatica, packaged with a misting applicator
THE GOOD
- Nice packaging (Cohesive throughout the entire brand)
- Great spray applicator
- Decent amount (150mL)
- Little to no scent
- Suitable for sensitive or troubled skin
- pH balanced
- Immediately soothing and reduces redness
- Absorbs quickly so is suitable underneath make up
- No sticky residue
THE BAD
- Original price is rather expensive
- Doesn’t have much effect on healing acne
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 3/5
- PACKAGING | 4/5
- APPLICATION | 5/5
- SOOTHING | 4/5
- ANTI-ACNE | 2/5
- HYDRATION | 4/5
OVERALL RATING? 7.3/10
WOULD I RECOMMEND?
Take advantage of this sale if you want to check it out! Haha! But for real, I do like the formula of this toner and I think that it would suit someone who just wants something to calm irritation and redness. If you want something that will actually heal and reduce break outs though, I would instead recommend the COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild (which gave me amazing results)!
WHERE TO GET IT FROM
The Centella Complex Mist Toner is available from StyleStory for either AUD$34.95 (full price) or is on sale for AUD$27.95
